How to manage time during group discussion with learners

Hello, I would like to be assisted with tips/techniques/strategies on how to manage time during group discussions with learners. As a student-teacher, im undergoing a research project on the above topic. i would appreciate It if my request can be considered

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Permalink Reply by Denise Stewart on March 7, 2010 at 4:20pm

Are your looking for advice on managing whole group discussions or small group ones (cooperative learning)?

In both cases, rules are a must. I keep my whole group discussions short (10 minutes or so) because I use them primarily to briefly address what we are about to do as a class and I want to clarify any questions they may have before we start. At this point, I also ask questions to see if we are all on the same page. To make sure that no one person dominates the discussion, I use "talking chips." Each chip as a number on it (the numbers are taken from the class roster). I pull out a chip, call on that number, and wait for a response. If I pull out the number for a shy one, I let her/him ask for help. Since I teach ELLs, I need to provide them with multiple opportunities to talk (whether they like it or not....just kidding...they LOVE to talk).

Another must is respect. When one person is talking, the rest of us are listening. If there are questions to pose, we restate what we thought the other person said and then raise our question. Ridicule is a no-no.

Once we are all on the same page, they go to cooperative learning groups (either elbow partners or groups of 4). Within the group, each person has a role. I like cooperative learning because I have the opportunity to talk to each and every student. That is something that whole group doesn't really allow for. Students have specific roles and assignments. This is a must or you will lose them as they go off topic. I provide each person in the group with note-taking sheets that are differentiated in difficulty since there are several levels of English proficiency in each group. I also have a clipboard that I take from group to group to assign classroom participation points for those on task. The clipboard keeps everyone on their toes. There is also a time limit. Sometimes I use timers other times just my watch. Without a timer, kids will "discuss" until the bell rings:)

Rules and accountability:)

Denise

www.ellteacherpros.com

www.teachingsuccesseswithells.blogspot.com

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Permalink Reply by Denise Stewart on March 7, 2010 at 4:26pm

Here are some note-taking ideas. The site below has a massive collection of graphic organizers that might make your life easier:) Everything here is free.

http://freeology.com/graphicorgs/

Denise

www.ellteacherpros.com
www.teachingsuccesseswithells.blogspot.com

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Permalink Reply by Katy Scott on March 7, 2010 at 4:31pm

I'm not sure if this will help, but some college professors use Twitter to manage large group discussions, ensuring that even shy students will contribute and limiting comments to 140 characters.